Puzzle



y 8, 1956 YlH-HUNG LEE 2,744,754

PUZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 20, 1953 May 8, 1956 YlH-HUNG LEE PUZZLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1955 l'awezafior Yz'av-iuuzg Lee, J1

PUZZLE Yih-Hung Lee, Fitchburg, Mass. Application August 20, 1953, Serial No. 375,541 3 Claims. (or. 273-159 D This invention relates to a puzzle of the type whose solution involves the removal of a part that is seemingly impossible to free.

Mechanical-puzzles have the advantage over printed puzzles in that they can be used repeatedly as even if a person knows thesolution, there is real interest in see- .ing others work out the problem. This advantage .is

offset to a considerable extent by production costs of mechanical puzzles. There is, accordingly, a real demand for mechanical puzzles combining low cost with an intriguing solution. The principal objective of this invention is to provide puzzles to meet that demand.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a pair of flexible strands each of which includes a loop. Each loop encircles the other and extends therethrough so that the strands may be drawn tightly together or loosened. Each strand carries a member whose dimensions are such that it cannot be passed through theloops. Between these members there are a pair of rings slidably supported by the strands. While the outside dimensions of these rings is such that the rings may be passed through the loops, they will not pass over the members. Between these rings and slidable along the strands is a third ring dimensioned to pass through the. loops andover the members and to prevent either of the pair of rings from being passed therethrough.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention from which these and other of its objectives, novel features and advantages will be readily apparent.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view in elevation of the puzzle with its loops drawn tightly together;

Fig. 2' is a similar view but with the loops loosened and showing the first step;

Fig. 3 is alike view showing the second step;

Fig. 4 is a corresponding view illustrating the completion of the third step, and 5 Figs. Sand 6 are similar views showing the final step in the solution of the puzzle.

The puzzle is shown as including a pair of flexible elements, generally indicated at 10 and 11. Each such element may conveniently comprise a length of cord whose ends are locked together against an intermediate part thereof 'as by a connector 12. The element 10 thus establishes a pair of loops 13 and 14 and the element 11 consists of similar loops 15 and 16.

Each of the loops 13 and 15 encircle the other and passes therethrough so that the elements 10 and 11 may be extended with the loops 13 and 15 tightly engaged as shown in Fig. 1 or moved relative to each other to loosen them as shown in the other views.

Each of the loops 14 and 16 slidably supports a ball 17 whose outside diameter is such that it cannot be passed through either the loop 13 or the loop 15. Slidable from end to end of the elements are a pair of identical rings 18 whose inside diameter is less than the diameter of the i ed States Patent 2,744,754 Patented May 8, 1956 ice.

2 balls and whose outside diameter is such that said rings may be passed through either the loop 13 or the loop 15. Between the rings 18 and slidable along the elements is a ring 19 whose outside diameter is such that it may be passed through either the loop 13 or the loop 15 and whose inside diameter is such that it may be passed over either of the balls 17 but will not pass over either ring 18.

The position of the parts of the puzzle when it is to be solved, by removing the ring 19, is shown in Fig. 1. The first step in the solution of the puzzle is to move the members 10 and 11 to loosen the loops 13 and 15 as shown in Fig. 2. The ring 19 is then passed through either the loop 13 or the loop 15, say the loop 15, so that it is supported by only the member 10 as shown in Fig. 3. The ring 18 that is on the member 11, is then passed through the loop 13.

At this point, as shown in Fig. 4, the ring 19 is passed overthe ball 17, which now is not blocked by a ring 18, so that the ring 19 is now transferred to the member 11, and is proximate to a ball 17 so that by passing it through the loop 13, it may be freed by passing it over that ball as will be apparent from Figs. 5 and 6. It will be apparent that a like sequence of steps'is required if the ring 19 is initially passed through the loop 13.

It will thus be apparent that the invention provides a puzzle that combines simplicity of construction, economy of production'with an interesting solution.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A puzzle comprising a pair of flexible strands, means locking the ends of each strand together against an intermediate part thereof to establish first and second loops, each first loop encircling the other first loop and extending therethrough thus to connect them and enable them to be drawn tightly together and loosened, a ball carried by each second loop whose diameter is such that it cannot be passed through a first loop, and a pair of rings carried by said interconnected strands to be slid from end to end thereof, the outside diameter of each of said rings being such that it will pass through either first loop, and its inside diameter being less than that of said balls, and a ring between said pair of rings and slidable from end to end of said interconnected strands, the inside diameter of said last named ring being such as to enable said ball'but not said pair of rings to pass therethrough, said rings being located between said balls.

2. A puzzle comprising a pair of flexible strands, means locking the ends of each strand together against an intermediate part thereof to establish first and second loops, each first loop encircling the other first loop and extending therethrough thus to connect them and enable them to be drawn tightly together and loosened, a member carried by each second loop, each member being of a circular section, whose diameter is such that it cannot be passed through a first loop, and a pair of rings carried by said interconnected strands to be slid from end to end thereof, the outside diameter of each of said rings being such that it will pass through either first loop, and. its inside diameter being less than that of said section, and a ring between said pair of rings and slidable from end toend of said interconnected strands, the inside diameter of said last named ring being such as to enable said member but not said pair of rings to pass therethrough, said rings being located between said balls.

3. A puzzle comprising a pair of flexible strands, each including a loop, each loop encircling the other loop and extending therethrough thus'to connect them and enable them to be drawn tightly together and loosened, a pair of first members, one carried by each strand, a second pair of members slidable on each loop, and a ring normally spacing one member of each pair on op- 4 v posite sides thereof, said ring being slidable from end-to- References Cited in the file of this patent end of said interconnected strands, the members of one 1 pair being balls dimensioned to pass through the ring but UNITED STATES PATENTS not through a loop, and the members of the other pair 611,334 Richardson Sept. 27, 1898 being rings whose outside diameter is such that they may 5 828,880 Falkner Aug. 21, 1906 pass through a loop but may not pass through said first FOREIGN PATENTS named ring but whose inside diameter is less than the di t f th b ll 11,599 Great Britain Oct. 17, 1891 

